Is Laryngitis Contagious?

Have you ever woken up with a hoarse or weak voice? There’s a medical term for it ‘Laryngitis’ or the inflammation of the voice box. A common question people ask is, “Is laryngitis contagious”? The answer depends on what causes it. In this post, we will take a detailed look at laryngitis, when it can be contagious, and when to see an ENT doctor in Navi Mumbai for treatment. Let’s get started.

What is Laryngitis?

In simple terms, laryngitis is the inflammation of your vocal cords, which can be linked to a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Or, it can occur from shouting, loud singing, and overusing your voice. Note that it’s not the condition itself that’s contagious but the cause. If it’s caused by a viral or bacterial infection, it can spread easily. Here’s what a person with laryngitis is likely to experience:

• Sore throat accompanied by a tickling sensation.
• Hoarseness
• Dry cough
• Loss of voice or difficulty speaking
• Fever (if you have an infection).

Types of Laryngitis

Laryngitis is classified into two common types:

i) Acute laryngitis:

It lasts a few days and clears on its own. Acute laryngitis is mostly caused by upper respiratory infections or vocal strains. Once the infection clears, your voice box becomes normal.

ii) Chronic laryngitis:

If laryngitis doesn’t clear in three weeks, it can be chronic. Symptoms persist in people who overuse or misuse their vocal cords by talking too loudly, cheering, consuming alcohol and vaping products frequently, or being exposed to chemical fumes. Certain diseases, such as cancer, can also cause long-term inflammation of the larynx.

Is Laryngitis Contagious?

As mentioned above, not all cases of laryngitis are contagious. Here’s what differentiates them.

Contagious vs. non-contagious laryngitis

Laryngitis caused by a viral infection is contagious and can spread when the infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It produces flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cold, runny nose, and fatigue. Non-contagious laryngitis, on the other hand, is caused by vocal cord irritation or voice overuse and is not contagious.

Prevention and Protection

Here’s how you can protect yourself from contracting contagious laryngitis:

• Maintain distance from people with viral infections.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching surfaces that could be contaminated.
• Use tissues when coughing or sneezing to prevent Laryngitis from spreading.

For non-contagious laryngitis, avoid shouting or loud talking. Use a humidifier in your place and keep yourself hydrated.

Treatment Options

Most people recover within a week, but it’s advisable to seek laryngitis treatment in Navi Mumbai if your systems persist and you experience these:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• There’s blood in your cough
• Persistent high-grade fever
• Extreme pain in the throat that doesn’t get better.

The treatment for laryngitis depends on what causes it. If it’s caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If it’s viral, the treatment usually focuses on managing symptoms. If it’s chronic, your doctor will identify the cause of it, such as vaping or exposure to fumes, and recommend treatment accordingly. If your vocals are strained, resting can help fix the issue.